Proposed Pilot Urban Dog Park in Ellsworth Park

On April, 24, 2014 - item #6. Tthe Site Selection Analysis and Revised Concept Drawing for a pilot dog park in Ellsworth Park was presented to and approved by the Montgomery Planning Board . This will be the County's first urban dog park.

From here, the dog park will go into the design phase with M-NCPPC Montgomery Park's Park Development Division construction is estimated to begin in Spring 2015.

Project Description

In order to meet immediate needs, M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks is proposing a pilot urban dog park in the short term, while we conduct a longer term site selection study. Staff analysis of many sites in the Silver Spring area concluded that a corner of Ellsworth Urban Park (adjacent to Colesville Rd and the Silver Spring Public Library) best meets the criteria for a pilot urban dog park. - Introductory PowerPoint Presentation (PDF, 998KB)

The facilities with the highest unmet needs include Dog Parks, Community Open Space, Skate Parks and Community Gardens. Staff will identify where there is a lack of these facilities countywide and analyze existing parks and potential future parks that can accommodate them. Preliminary analysis shows the area inside the Beltway and along the I-270 Corridor has the highest needs.

Why do we Need Urban Dog Parks?

Dog parks are one of the fastest-growing park amenities in the country. There are now more households with dogs than with kids (43 million and 38 million respectively) making the popularity of dog parks not surprising.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates there are nearly 80 million pet dogs in the United States, 39% percent of all U.S. households own at least one dog.

Dogs stimulate people to get outside, exercise, and connect with other people. Research indicates that people find it easier to talk to each other with a dog as the initial focus, breaking down or circumventing the usual social barriers that inhibit people from talking with strangers. Dogs can improve their owner’s health by lowering their blood pressure, reducing anxiety and depression. They also provide a sense of responsibility and purpose.

Not only is exercise beneficial to a dog’s health, dogs that are highly socialized and exercise tend to be healthier, happier and less aggressive.

Existing Montgomery County Dog Parks

M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks currently operates five dog parks . As shown on the map at right, our existing dog parks are located outside of the most densely populated areas of the County (Wheaton Regional Park, Black Hill Regional Park and Ridge Road Recreational Park, Cabin John Regional Park and Olney Manor Recreational Park).

These facilities are destination-based facilities that require dog owners to drive to and from the dog park. Communities are now seeking smaller, more convenient facilities to which they can walk, or at least not drive as far.

Below is a list of the basic features to be considered in the Preliminary Program of Requirements of the site selection process for an urban dog park in Downtown Silver Spring.

Site Selection Criteria

Existing parkland

Area of high density and walkability

Site is underutilized

No environmental constraints

Program of Requirements

Adequate parking and safety

Appropriate distance from residents

Minimum size: +/-10,000 square feet

Fencing - min 5 feet high

Double gate entry system

Surface – various

Seating and shade

Landscaping

Water fountain and water features

Dog waste bags and receptacles

Signage and lighting

Tell us what you think

The comment period for this project has come to an end. Thank you for your input into this park planning process. There were a number of opportunities for you to provide official input via email, U.S. Mail and our Online comment tool for this project.

Review the Input

Summary of email comments - A summary of commments from the public and correspondence from officials via email for this initiative are available .

Online comment tool - Review the public input from our online comment tool. Personal information such as names and addresses is not included in the comments summary.

Staff will rely on the web site to keep citizens updated on the Plan. Interested citizens and civic groups are encouraged to become part of our e-mail lists. Public outreach for this project will include a project webpage, Public Meetings, press releases and email campaigns to Homeowner and Civic Associations in the downtown Silver Spring area. We also plan to distribute posters and handouts at park events, veterinary clinics and animal rescue agencies.

Calendar and Meeting Notes

The calendar will be updated as community meetings and events are planned for this project. Digital copies of the Meeting Notes, Presentations and Planning Board Memos will be attached to each calendar event after it is completed.

Research, Evaluation and Outreach - included MC-DOG, a group of dog owners and the first dog owner umbrella group in the county. They worked closely with the Department of Park and Planning to assist in establishing the first dog exercise areas on Commission-owned public parkland.

Media Center

This is where you will find links to press releases, print articles and community links for your convenience. If you would like to see additional links added to this site, please contact the Project Coordinator.